Quick replies needed!

[DramaQueenofHighCs]

I have to leave for work in 20 mins but have a dilemma! (DH doesn't need to leave for an hour when it's school bus drop off but doesn't read Mumsnet!)

DS (6) has had a bit of a cough all week but it got worse yesterday. He has woken up this morning coughing like a trouper (after coughing half the night) and with a slight temperature and doesn't seem his normal self. (He's still bright just not so much energy.) I'm debating if I should send him in to school or not and what complicates matters is that he is meant to be going to his friends house after school. He's been looking forward to it all week and has been so excited as it's only the second time he will have been round someone's after school and would be devestated if he couldn't go.

I don't even have a gut feeling on this as I have anxiety so my brain is all 'ARGH' about it.
His cough does seem to be getting a little better as he's been up for a while....... But I don't want to infect other children........ WWYD? (We don't have any calpol in the house and won't be able to get any before he needs to leave for school.)

[lem73]

It depends what slight temperature means. If it's over 37.2 I wouldn't send a child but the cough on it's own doesn't sound too bad.

[Fooshufflewickbannanapants]

Sounds like a cold to me, I'd send.

[llamallamaredpyjama]

Send in if he's brightening up

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

I wouldn't keep him off in those circumstance I'd send him to school.

[HerrenaHarridan]

Send definitely, I'm the last person to send an infectious kid to school but you can't keep them off for every wee cough or some kids would never go in.

If he gets worse school will send him home but coughs are often worst in the am

[Jennifersrabbit]

How high is temp? If over about 38 I probably wouldnt send. If 37-38 and generally reasonably well Id send, dosing with calpol if I had it. Would let school know he's not feeling great and be prepared to pick up if necessary. Also suggest text other mum to check she has no objections to taking slightly under weather child.

How does DS feel? If he doesn't want to go despite having a much looked forward to event that would sway me the other way.

[Purplepoodle]

Dose him with Calpol and ibuprofen and send him in. If he's really ill u can always collect him from school. Mine always run a bit of a temp with a cold but still fine.for school

[DramaQueenofHighCs]

Thanks girls. Temp is about 37/37.1 (but he has a higher average temp anyway so...) he seems brighter and wants to go in so think I'll let him. I'm not usually one for 'keeping off' either, it's just that going to his friend's house is complicating things. Other mum is ok with having him and has even said she will also give him calpol if needed (as she says her kid could catch germs at school anyway).
Now on way to work with DH making final decision at last minute but hopefully all will be well.

Thanks again.

[DoJo]

Coughing is always worse at night when lying down, so even if he sounded quite bad last night, I doubt he will be coughing that much when he's upright today.

[wannaBe]

calpol and school. If he's really ill they'll send him home.

[Jennifersrabbit]

Oh I wouldn't worry then! 37 is normal temp and doctors don't call it a definite fever until it's over 38. 37.1 I would see as within normal range.

Sounds very sensible course of action to send him in. Hope he's soon feeling better.

[DramaQueenofHighCs]

Thanks everyone. He went in and went to his friends and had a great time! He's still got a heck of a cough and his Reno is coming back for the night (more 37.6 now) but that was to be expected so hopefully will help him fight it off.

I'm usually pretty clear on when to send or not send - I think its just cos I'm new to all this 'going round a friend's house after school thing' and wasn't the one to drop him off this morning that I just had a little 'wobble' as it were. (We've only ever gone round or had people round in the holidays before!)

[DramaQueenofHighCs]

*Reno = Temperature/Temp - no idea where that typo came from!

[Pico2]

I wouldn't count that as a temperature.